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As regards morphia and the instruments used for its injection, the effects of which are even more injurious than those of opium itself, proper effect should be given to the stipulations laid down in Article II of the British Commercial Treaty and Article XVI of the American Commercial Treaty, and instructions be issued to all custom-houses to disallow the import of any morphia or instrument into China which are not for medical use; while a strict prohibition must be enforced against any shops in China, whether native or foreign, manufacturing morphia or instruments for its injection.
The Board then prepared a Memorandum embodying six proposals and forwarded it to His Majesty's Minister at Peking for transmission to His Majesty's Government. These proposals were as follows:
1. To decrease the amount of foreign opium imported year by year, until it finally disappears. Taking the average of the annual import of foreign opium for the preceding five years (1901-5) as the figure to work upon, to reduce the import by one-tenth each year after 1907, so that it shall disappear entirely in ten years.
2. Calcutta being the chief emporium for foreign opium, we proposed that China should appoint an officer to proceed to Calcutta for the purpose of watching the opium auctions and the packing, in order to ascertain the actual quantities of foreign opium delivered for export.
3. The strength of foreign opium is double that of the native drug. Although, however, the duty on native opium has been raised to 115 taels per picul, the combined duty and li-kin on foreign opium remains at 110 taels. We proposed, therefore, that as a prohibitive measure the duty on foreign opium should be doubled.
4. Hong Kong being the place where foreign opium is prepared, the Governor of Hong Kong should be asked to assist us by strictly forbidding the export to China of prepared foreign opium.
5. With regard to the opium shops and opium dens, as well as the shops for selling appliances for opium-smoking in the foreign Settlements and Concessions, we proposed that the measures for the inspection and prohibition of such places should be similar to those adopted by the Chinese territorial authorities.
6. The British and American Commercial Treaties already contemplate steps to be taken for effecting the prohibition against the dangers involved in the importation of morphia and instruments for its injection. But the adhesion of all the Treaty Powers is necessary before this Article comes into operation. We proposed that this Article should be put into effective operation as soon as possible.
After much discussion and correspondence with, in the course of last year, the following Agreement was arrived at between His Majesty's Minister and the Board:
1. Taking the total export of Indian opium to all countries to be 51,000 chests, this quantity is to be decreased annually by 5,100 chests, so as to put an end to the traffic entirely in ten years from 1905.
2. An officer will be sent to Calcutta to watch the opium auctions and the packing, but it shall be clearly understood that this officer is there solely for the purpose of ascertaining the actual quantities of foreign opium delivered for export and has no other authority.
3. In view of the difficulty of ascertaining the amount of dues levied on native opium and its price, the proposal to double the duty on foreign opium shall be postponed for future discussion.
4. As regards the prohibition to export opium prepared in Hong Kong to China, it was arranged that each country should take steps within its own territories to prohibit the illicit importation of opium, and the export of Hong Kong prepared opium to China, and of Chinese prepared opium to Hong Kong should be prohibited.
5. As regards the prohibition of opium dens and other places for the consumption of opium and sale of articles used in opium smoking within the foreign Settlements, it was agreed that if effective prohibitive measures were taken by the Chinese authorities outside any such Settlement, the Municipal Council would take the necessary steps without waiting for a request from the Chinese authorities.
6. The unrestricted import of morphia and of instruments for its injection should be prohibited as soon as all the Treaty Powers had signified their Agreement.
The Board were informed in a note from His Majesty's Minister that the British Government had given their assent to the above Arrangement.
As foreign opium is also imported from Annam and the islands of the southern seas, the Board also appealed to the French and Dutch Ministers for their assistance in prohibiting the trade, and as opium is also transhipped and prepared at Macao a similar request was addressed to the Portuguese Minister. Persia being a non-Treaty Power, China can exercise her prerogative by forbidding the import of foreign opium from that country, and the Board have accordingly requested the Revenue Council to direct the Inspector-General of Customs to take the necessary steps.
With regard to the prohibition of the unrestricted import into China of morphia and of instruments for its injection, a Circular note was sent by the Board to all the foreign Representatives in Peking in April 1906, and replies have now been received, all except the Japanese Minister, who has not yet replied, being in favour of our proposals.
The prohibition of opium is such a worthy undertaking that all countries are naturally in sympathy with it. As India is the place of origin of foreign opium, the Board entered into negotiations with His Majesty's Minister at Peking, and on the matter being referred to the British Government, the latter agreed to do all in its power to assist us.
In arranging that from January 1908 the export of foreign opium from India should be annually decreased, the British Government gave a clear proof of their friendly feeling, and in their sincere desire to aid in the prohibition of opium. As, however, it has been laid down that the scheme shall be tried for three years and shall only be continued on the expiration of that period if it is found that China has effectively decreased the cultivation and consumption of opium, it is absolutely necessary that drastic measures should be taken to decrease the cultivation of opium, and the opening of opium dens and sale of articles used in opium smoking should be strictly prohibited in order that the consumption of the drug may be gradually decreased, and that we may preserve our reputation in the eyes of foreign nations.
As January 1908 (the 12th month of the 33rd year of Kuang Hsu) was the date fixed for putting the scheme in operation, the export of foreign opium from India is already being decreased. The short period of three years will soon pass by, and the British Government have made it known that the continuation of the scheme is contingent on China herself taking effective action. The opportunity must not be lost, and the matter does not admit of delay.
The Ministers of the Board pray that Imperial instructions be given to the Board of the Interior and Board of Revenue to prepare regulations to be issued in all the provinces, and that the high provincial authorities be enjoined to do their utmost to put them in operation. Prefects, Sub-Prefects, Department and district Magistrates must not deal with this matter in a half-hearted and perfunctory manner, or regard it as a question of no importance, if this long-standing disease is to be cured and the evils which it entails removed. If this can be effected the people of China will indeed have a chance of improvement, and we shall have shown ourselves worthy of the assistance given us by foreign Powers.
The Ministers of the Board of Foreign Affairs reverently submit this statement of the arrangements concluded with foreign Powers for the prohibition of opium to your Majesties and ask for instructions.
On the 22nd March an Imperial Decree was issued.
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
IMPERIAL Decree issued on the 24th March, in response to Memorials submitted by the Wai-wu Pu respecting the arrangements concluded with foreign Powers for the abolition of Opium, and the means to be taken to raise revenue to replace the Opium tax.
(Translation.)
THE increase in the use of opium has brought with it evil results of the most terrible nature. Those afflicted with the craving squander their property, shorten their lives, become dishonest and idle, and ruin their official careers. In every province innumerable cases of suicide by taking opium occur every year; it is the cause of many crimes and law-suits, and tends to frustrate the benevolent designs of Providence. Not only are these results deplorable in themselves, but if our people daily grow more enfeebled in mind and body through the use of opium, what hope is there of China regaining her former strength?
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